Smithsonian.com

National Museum of Jewish American History Opens in Philadelphia

This weekend in Philadelphia, the National Museum of Jewish American History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, begins a series of opening ceremonies to inaugurate a new 100,000 square-foot building overlooking Independence Hall. The museum will officially open to visitors starting Novem...

This weekend in Philadelphia, the National Museum of Jewish American History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, begins a series of opening ceremonies to inaugurate a new 100,000 square-foot building overlooking Independence Hall. The museum will officially open to visitors starting November 26.

"The core story that we tell is a story of freedom, the story of what one immigrant ethnic group has been able to achieve, for itself and frankly for the country and the world, given the blessings of freedom," says Michael Rosenzweig, President and CEO of the museum.

Such a story was difficult to tell at the museum's former home, a 15,000 square foot space in the historic
Mikveh Israel synagogue in downtown Philadelphia. With more than 25,000 objects in its collections (some owned by the museum and others on loan from the Smithsonian museums), only a few of the artifacts could actually go on display in the original building.

The core exhibit in the new building features 1,000 artifacts, and tells the complete history of Jewish American culture from the arrival of the first Jewish people to the United States in 1654 to the present day. "Our view is that we are first and foremost an educational institution," says Rosenzweig. "To be successful and effective in educating visitors, we recognize from the beginning that we need to grab and keep their attention." Visitors can view 30 original films and 13 interactive displays in addition to the objects themselves.

New York-based architect
Jim Polshek designed the new building as a glass box partially surrounded by terra cotta. "The glass box allows you to literally look at the birthplace of American liberty. There's a transparency between the Jewish community in this country and the freedoms that are represented by the Mall," says Rosenzweig. The earthen terra cotta symbolizes the survival of the Jewish people for over thousands of years, and for hundreds of years in this country.

To bestow a "mazel tov" or two upon the new museum, Vice President Joe Biden will deliver the keynote address at Sunday's opening ceremony following a Saturday night gala marked by appearances from Jerry Seinfeld and Bette Midler. All opening festivities except the gala (a schedule is available on their
Web site) are open to the public.

We Recommend

Have you ever wondered how a simple shot can keep you from dying a horrible death? In this one-minute video, Ask Smithsonian’s host, Eric Schulze, unravels how vaccines boot-camp our bodies into shape, getting us ready to fight off deadly diseases

A Selection of Books and Courses Featuring New Exhibitions and Smithsonian Research

The Smithsonian Institution has entered affiliate agreements with the companies listed in our holiday shop, and earns a fee for every purchase made from following any link from these gift guide pages and making a purchase on the affiliate site. This fee helps fund Smithsonian’s activities.

The Smithsonian is a repository of America's history, achievements, aspirations, and identity. It holds the artifacts of great leaders, and those of ordinary Americans. It houses scientific specimens and technological wonders. It is home to art, music, films, writings-a vast treasure trove of objects of extraordinary beauty and outstanding design.

Kennewick Man: The Scientific Investigation of an Ancient American Skeleton (Peopling of the Americas Publications) [Douglas W. Owsley, Richard L. Jantz] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Almost from the day of its accidental discovery along the banks of the Columbia River in Washington State in July 1996